> >A big strength of Linux is because it's scaleable (like its unix
> >heritage). Therefore all those "obsolete" bits which would
> otherwise go
> >on the scrap heap can be built into perfectly good Linux
> boxes - maybe
> >not powerful workstations but certainly stable and reliable
> machines for
> >the "donkey" work like small workgroup servers, print servers etc.
> >
> Not really that way... lots of people still don't know what's
> Linux is or
> even how to install it. As you may know, knowing how to
> install hardwares
> doesn't mean you can easily learn other OS, things are
> getting easier right
> now like the capability of the device to do Plug N Play, etc.
> if USB would
> be used by everyone, how much better would it be?
>
I was really referring to its use by IT professionals who are probably
familiar with UNIX (or at least not scared of it). Take a look at Linux
News (www.threepoint.com) and read some of the articles about how people
are using Linux. For example, the IT manager of a large finance house
in the US is running 100 Linux servers on their network because his boss
did not give him the budget for "branded" equipment. However, the IT
manager dare not tell his boss because he's anti-Linux, thinking it's
anarchic and lacking support! This situation is not unique.
OK, Linux on every desktop is a long way off. Personally, I hope we
never get there because to achieve this would probably mean it would
have been highjacked by a big software house with visions of a monopoly
(like M$). However, I would like to see a bit more "public" acceptance
of Linux, with perhaps versions with fewer features and a dead-easy
configuration. (Thankfully systems like Red Hat and others have at
least made the installation part quite straightforward.) Why? Let's
look at two examples:
1. the business (desktop) user
- fast and reliable
- good range of office apps
- usually only one person logging in
- secure
- all kinds of network connectivity
- cheap
- no need for games
- no need for software other than business apps
2. the home user (hobbyist)
- wants an alternative to M$
- wants to learn actually how to work his computer
- likes not having to spend much money
- surfs the net
- might have lots of peripherals ("toys")
- might want games
Both of the above represent a LOT of machines, but neither needs a full
blown Linux system. These machines don't need multi-user or PPP
dial-in, or sendmail, telnet or FTP daemons etc. Therefore, a
distribution with these things taken out and replaced with a more
straightforward method of configuration would crack it. If it's bundled
with some good general applications as well then all the better. What
do you all think?
Martin
